In today’s Fact or Fiction, I look at three big recent topics in college football and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.
1. Devin Leary will be injury free this season.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
Leary will be back this spring after his season ended in October of last year with a pectoral injury. In 2020 he missed much of the season with a broken fibula in October of that year as well. Kentucky doesn’t have a very good offensive line, as we saw Will Levis sacked 37 times, and Leary isn’t the biggest QB. While I expect the Kentucky offensive line to improve a bit, Leary will also be facing better and more physical defenses in the SEC. The hopes of the Kentucky offense are riding on his shoulders, but missing significant time two of the last three years has me a bit skeptical.
2. Braelon Allen thrives in the Air Raid at Wisconsin.
Farrell’s take: FACT
Wisconsin changes offense and will pass more, so Allen’s numbers will suffer, right? Nope. New OC Phil Longo had three different 1,000-yard rushers when Sam Howell was tossing the ball around at UNC, and he would have had one last year had they had some experience at the position and didn’t have to run Drake Maye so much. Allen is coming off a 1,200-yard season, and I honestly expect 1,400 or more this year with a more balanced offense.
3. Kirby Smart should be held accountable for the Jalen Carter situation.
Farrell’s take: FICTION
I’m sure you’ve all heard about the tragic incident involving Carter, his teammates, and a female staffer following UGA’s national title. Whatever you hear or believe regarding the deaths of Devin Willock and Cameron LeCroy, I’ll say this. This doesn’t fall on Smart. He’s a football coach and molder of young men, but he’s also not omnipresent, nor is he a babysitter. The incidents occurred in the middle of the night while Smart was likely sleeping after winning a second national title. He honestly can’t be held responsible for poor decisions by young people. Why is this even a question? There are some who want Smart and/or UGA punished as these details unfold and a UGA vehicle was involved, but let’s be clear — those who want to hate on Smart for this are just haters.
